Four Yorkshire Carnegie stars named in Greene King IPA Championship Dream Team

27th April 2017By Phil Daly

Lewis Boyce, Ryan Burrows, Jonah Holmes and Phil Nilsen all named in the Greene King IPA Championship Dream Team for 2016-17 season

Greene King IPA Championship play-off semi-finalists London Irish, Yorkshire Carnegie and Doncaster Knights are all well represented in the Championship Dream Team for 2016/17.

Four players apiece from the top two sides, Irish and Carnegie, find their way into the star line-up, whilst Doncaster have three included.

As further recognition of Jersey’s best-ever Championship finish of fifth, two Reds players have made the cut alongside one from London Scottish and one from Ealing Trailfinders.

1. Prop – LEWIS BOYCE (Yorkshire Carnegie)

For the second year running a loose-head coached by Steve Boden is selected at No.1, with England U20 Junior World Cup winner Boyce following in the footsteps of ex-Jersey player Sam Lockwood. Boyce is a destructive ball carrier and vastly improved scrummager who fought off stiff competition from Cornish Pirates’ Marlen Walker.

2. Hooker – PHIL NILSEN (Yorkshire Carnegie)

Nilsen passed 200 games for the club in his testimonial season. Gives his heart and soul to the cause and does the basics very well. Huge work rate. Honourable mentions go to David Paice, Alun Walker and last year’s winner Ben Hunter.

3. Prop – SIMON KERROD (Jersey Reds)

Cornerstone of Jersey’s juggernaut pack. A powerful scrummager who likes to get around the park, Kerrod attracted nine out of the 11 votes cast – the highest ratio of any player – with Richmond’s Rupert Harden claiming the other two.

4. Lock – PIERCE PHILLIPS (Jersey Reds)

Jersey’s captain will join Kerrod at Worcester after impressing in his third season at the Reds. A towering presence in the lineout whose leadership qualities have shone through.

5. Lock – GLEN YOUNG (Doncaster)

Dual-registered Newcastle player who has spent most of the season with the Knights. Superb aerially, Young dominates re-starts and runs the lineout well. The former Scotland U20 international works tirelessly and is highly thought of at Castle Park.

6. Flanker – JACK RAM (Doncaster)

Typical Tongan force of nature whose work at the breakdown is second to none, plus he is also a good link up man in attack. Ram arrived in December but made a big enough impression in his time on the pitch to see off the likes of Ealing’s Kieran Murphy

7. Flanker – BLAIR COWAN (London Irish)

Strong over the ball and in the tackle, Scotland cap Cowan has continued to play at international standard in the Championship and has weighed in with six League tries. Picked up five of the 11 votes cast.

8 No. 8 RYAN BURROWS (Yorkshire Carnegie)

Burrows, one of the Championship’s most consistent performers, has earned himself a move to Newcastle with his strong ball carrying from the base of the scrum or ruck. Edges out Nick Haining, Mark Bright and Tom Duncan despite playing a mix of six and eight this season.

8. Scrum-half – SCOTT STEELE (London Irish)

Nuggety number nine with an eye for the gap who seems to get better with every passing season. Marginally preferred to Richmond’s Sam Stuart and Bedford’s Jordan Burns.

10. Fly-half – JAMES MARSHALL (London Irish)

Outstanding ball player who has given Irish a real attacking edge this season. Astute decision-maker with the skill set to match, Marshall was nominated as the league’s best 10 by seven of the 11 coaches.

11. Wing – JASON HARRIES (London Scottish)

Former Wales Sevens star with power and pace in abundance. Has shone in what has been an otherwise disappointing season for Scottish, scoring 11 League tries. Edged out Tyson Lewis.

12. Centre – Joe Munro (Ealing Trailfinders)

Despite his impressive physique, there is more to Munro’s game than just crashing the ball up the middle. The 6’5 centre is also an accomplished distributor and has generally enjoyed an excellent second season at Vallis Way.

13. Centre – Asaeli Tikoirotuma (London Irish)

A game breaker and try scorer who makes things happen whilst in possession. Aled Jenkins, Andrew Bulumakau and Robbie Ferguson all had claims on the No.13 jersey too, but the Fijian international’s x-factor tipped the verdict his way.

14. Wing – Jonah Holmes (Yorkshire Carnegie)

Jet-heeled winger/full-back who knows his way to the line. Carnegie’s most dangerous back throughout the season and the scorer of 13 Championship tries, the joint second-highest in the League.

15. Full-back – Paul Jarvis (Doncaster Knights)

After a one-year hiatus, Jarvis returns to the No.15 berth following another season of consistently high performances. Arguably the best counter-attacking full-back in the league with his pace and ability to spot a gap. Punches above his weight in defence too.